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Ken Block revisits Twin Peaks to test his Fiesta on gravel

Noah Joseph — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 00:58:00 +0000

Filed under: Motorsports, Videos, Ford, Celebrities

You know you want another one of Ken Block's trademark hoonage videos, don't you? Of course you do. And so we're glad to oblige. But, Ken Block being Ken Block, "just another" video wouldn't do. No, he and his crew at the Monster World Rally Team have to make each episode count. And that requires a certain measure of creativity.

For this latest three-minute clip, Block and company headed to the Dirtfish Rally School in Snoqualmie Falls, Washington. That may not mean anything to you now, but do you remember Twin Peaks? Dirtfish is based in the very same location where the popular early-90s TV show was shot. Block and his team headed there to test out the new Ford Fiesta HFHV on gravel for the first time, and were kind enough to bring along a video crew to, um... "document" the process. Follow the jump to go fire walking with Block and crew.

Continue reading Ken Block revisits Twin Peaks to test his Fiesta on gravel

Ken Block revisits Twin Peaks to test his Fiesta on gravel originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 Jan 2012 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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A day in the life of Ken Block and his SYNC-equipped H.F.H.V.

Damon Lavrinc — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 00:01:00 +0000

Filed under: Videos, Hatchback, Ford, Specialty

Ken Block has extended his tireless Ford promotion to SYNC, equipping his Hybrid Function Hoon Vehicle with FoMoCo's infotainment system to star - along with DC BMX rider Kelly Bolton - in his latest video.

The day-in-the-life comes in three acts, beginning with Block driving one of his Gymkhana-prepped Fiestas to LA's Cars and Coffee, followed by a brief lunch, filming of the previously released Gymkhana 4 and wrapping up with a parking lot smoke fest where Block and Bolton do what they do best. Although we're not sure what we're impressed with more: Bolton doing a backflip off a ladder after Block topples it going sideways or the fact that Ken was able to drive his hardly street-legal H.F.H.V. around LA for the day. Check it all out after the jump.

Continue reading A day in the life of Ken Block and his SYNC-equipped H.F.H.V.

A day in the life of Ken Block and his SYNC-equipped H.F.H.V. originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 06 Dec 2011 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ken Block gets own line of Hot Wheels in time for holiday season

Zach Bowman — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 19:30:00 +0000

Filed under: Performance, Etc., Hatchback, Ford, Toys/Games, Celebrities, Specialty, Racing

Like floods, wildfires and tsunamis, the Ken Block marketing machine is a force of nature. The exhibition driver has partnered up with Mattel for a special line of Hot Wheels toys that include 1:64-scale die cast versions of Block's WRC Ford Fiesta in either black or white liveries. As with most Hot Wheels toys, the cars are priced at $1, which means that just about everyone can afford to find one of these in their stocking this year.

Mattel has also unveiled two different remote controlled Ken Block cars, starting with the radio-controlled Nitro Speedsters Ford Fiesta. The pint-sized R/C car is a self-contained controller and racer unit, perfect for stuffing in your pocket. We imagine the tiny wireless car would be ideal for disrupting class or the occasional office meeting. The whole kit will set you back $25.99.

Those of us who demand a slightly larger R/C experience may opt for the Ken Block R/C Fiesta Stunt Car. The toy allows just about anyone to execute either wide or tight drifts with little more than a press of a button, and with a scale speed of 0-80 mph in two seconds, the toy should be plenty of fun for $45. Hit the jump for the full press release.

Continue reading Ken Block gets own line of Hot Wheels in time for holiday season

Ken Block gets own line of Hot Wheels in time for holiday season originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 22 Nov 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford rushes to fix gearbox problems, but not quickly enough for Consumer Reports

Zach Bowman — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 18:59:00 +0000

Filed under: Budget, Sedan, Hatchback, Ford

Consumer Reports recently cited issues with the PowerShift dual-clutch transmission in the Ford Focus and Ford Fiesta as one of the primary reasons behind the automaker's fall from grace in its annual Car Reliability Study, but according to The New York Times, the automaker has already worked to solve most of the problems with the gearboxes. Ford has issued a number of technical service bulletins designed to improve drivability at low speeds. On September 13, Ford sent its dealers a bulletin describing how to reprogram the powertrain control module for "smoother acceleration, reduced hesitation, better low-speed drivability and improved shift scheduling."

In addition, a separate bulletin sent out on September 2 specifically dealt with harsh gear changes in the Fiesta. Like its larger sibling, dealers were instructed to reprogram the transmission for better performance. Still, those fixes come too late for Ford in the Consumer Reports' report. We'll have to wait until next year to see if the changes improve the Blue Oval's ranking.

Ford rushes to fix gearbox problems, but not quickly enough for Consumer Reports originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 27 Oct 2011 13:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford Focus and Fiesta to be well represented at SEMA

Zach Bowman — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 21:14:00 +0000

Filed under: Aftermarket, SEMA Show, Budget, Hatchback, Ford

Ford is hitting SEMA with a volley of modified Focus and Fiesta models this year. The company says that the aftermarket show is the perfect venue for showing off just how customizable both vehicles can be, and with creations from the likes of Roush, Cobb Tuning and Gold Coast Automotive among others, there should be a hatch or sedan on hand in Las Vegas for everyone. Roush is doing what the company does best: plopping an R900 TVS Supercharger on top of the four-cylinder engine in the Focus for a substantial bump in power, and a full Roush exhaust ensures that the engine will breathe easy.

Cobb Tuning, meanwhile, will be going the turbocharging route with its Focus. The car will boast forged pistons, a custom turbo kit and front-mounted intercooler, as well as a unique air box, intake and exhaust manifold. No one's saying just how much power the Focus will make, but a StopTech Trophy big brake kit should ensure the car can be brought down from speed in a hurry.

The star of the Fiesta show this year will likely be from Gold Coast Automotive. With an intercooled Jackson Racing Rotrex supercharger, Wilwood braking hardware on all four corners and a custom front diffuser and rear spoiler, this GCA entrant could be the mightiest Fiesta of them all. Hit the jump for the full press release.

Continue reading Ford Focus and Fiesta to be well represented at SEMA

Ford Focus and Fiesta to be well represented at SEMA originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 21 Oct 2011 16:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford Fiesta Metal edition heads for UK

Zach Bowman — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 22:31:00 +0000

Filed under: Budget, Performance, Hatchback, Ford, UK

Ford UK is set to release a hotter version of the Fiesta to its customers. The Fiesta Metal Edition packs 132 horsepower and 118 pound-feet of torque courtesy of a reworked version of the same 1.6-liter Duratec engine that U.S. buyers enjoy. That's a 12 horsepower nudge over the base figures, and as a result, the special-edition Fiesta can hop to 62 mph in 8.7 seconds. A slightly lowered ride height is also part of the handling package. Right now, Ford is only planning to build 1,000 examples of the hotter hatch, each with a price tag of £15,695.

In addition to the slight bump in power, the Fiesta Metal Edition will come packing dual chrome exhaust tips, a silver-painted grille surround, and fog light bezels as well as 17-inch alloy wheels. Inside, the vehicle features a piano-black center stack surround, as well as Ebony black leather sport seats with contrasting stitching. Buyers will only be able to choose between three colors, however; Panther Black, Midnight Sky and Frozen White. Hit the jump for the press release.

Continue reading Ford Fiesta Metal edition heads for UK

Ford Fiesta Metal edition heads for UK originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 27 Sep 2011 17:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford celebrates 100 years in Britain with special edition Fiesta Centura

Noah Joseph — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 12:57:00 +0000

Filed under: Budget, Hatchback, Ford, UK

While we tend to think of Ford as an American automaker - and it is - the fact of the matter is that it has also been in the British market for longer than most automakers have been around altogether. 100 years, all told, and the company has been celebrating that milestone throughout the year in a variety of ways. And this is the latest.

Called the Centura edition, this special Fiesta marks the Blue Oval's centenary in the UK with a bunch of options bundled into one package. To start with, the special Fiesta nods at its forefather in its color options: British buyers can get it in any color they want, as long as it's black. Panther Black metallic, to be specific. It's also got a 1.25-liter Zetec four, chrome mirror caps, 16-inch alloys, daytime LEDs and a slew of automatic do-dads.

While hardly the exclusive GT supercar you might expect Ford of Britain to celebrate with, it is decidedly more accessible. And in the end, wasn't that what Henry Ford envisioned for the motorist? Details in the press release after the jump.

Continue reading Ford celebrates 100 years in Britain with special edition Fiesta Centura

Ford celebrates 100 years in Britain with special edition Fiesta Centura originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 11 Aug 2011 07:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford Fiesta turns 35, hits 15 million units, celebrates

Jeff Glucker — Sat, 30 Jul 2011 19:03:00 +0000

Filed under: Etc., Ford

Ford kicked off the Fiesta Movement in 2010, but the little hatchback's history goes back 35 years. In 1976, Ford launched the Fiesta, and since then, it's gone on to sell 15 million units. The latest iteration joined the family in 2010, and Ford's keeping it fresh for 2011 with new colors and upgrades to the highest trim level.

Mars Red and Fashionista are the new hues on the Fiesta color palette, and the Fiesta Titanium adds a dash of chrome to the grille, new wheels, and a woven headliner. You can also order partial leather seats for it.

Check out the progression of the Ford Fiesta in the gallery and click past the jump for the full press release.

Continue reading Ford Fiesta turns 35, hits 15 million units, celebrates

Ford Fiesta turns 35, hits 15 million units, celebrates originally appeared on Autoblog 5.0 on Sat, 30 Jul 2011 14:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Gymkhana 4 production underway, arriving late summer

Jeff Glucker — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 22:30:00 +0000

Filed under: Etc., Marketing/Advertising, Hatchback, Ford

A new car, updated livery and a fresh set of tires can only mean one thing for Ken Block - a new Gymkhana video is in the works, and it's slated to take over YouTube sometime this summer. The new instrument of driving precision and rubber destruction is Block's Ford Fiesta Hybrid Function Hoon Vehicle.

Gymkhana Four will no doubt be another internet sensation, one that will add to the constantly growing mass of people who've viewed the previous three videos. To date, Gymkhana installments one through three have been watched over 110 million times, with Gymkhana Three making its way on to YouTube's list of Top 10 Videos of 2010.

Whether you think it's merely a marketing stunt, a display of skill behind the wheel or something in between, there's little doubt that you're going to watch it. We'll do the same, and you'll be sure to find it here on Autoblog when Ken Block and DC Shoes release the finished version. For now, you can get a taste of what's to come by checking out the image gallery above.

Continue reading Gymkhana 4 production underway, arriving late summer

Gymkhana 4 production underway, arriving late summer originally appeared on Autoblog 5.0 on Wed, 27 Jul 2011 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ken Block unveils new multi-hoonable Ford Fiesta HFHV

Noah Joseph — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 18:01:00 +0000

Filed under: Videos, Hatchback, Ford, Specialty, Off-Road, Racing

Being Ken Block has got to be a lot of fun, but like any other life, it has its share of problems. In Ken's case, he's actively involved in a number of rally disciplines, each of which has its own parameters and requires its own type of car. Solution: the Ford Fiesta HFHV.

The initials stand for Hybrid Function Hoon Vehicle, but don't let that first H fool you: there's nothing Prius about this car. It's the new beast which Ford and Block have developed for adaptable use in each of three types of rally competition: stage rallies, rallycross and Gymkhana.

The car is based on Block's Ford Fiesta RS WRC, albeit with a 2.0-liter turbo four capable of producing as much as 600 horsepower and 665 pound-feet of torque, depending on configuration. And configurability is what this car's all about. By swapping the wheels and tires and adjusting everything from the suspension to the engine mapping, the HFHV can be quickly set up for any of these three functions. Believe it or not, Block's Monster crew says it can even be street-legal, depending on the setup.

Bottom line: expect to see this car wherever you see Block pop up, whether it's on a rally stage, a closed parking lot or a film set - starting with the X Games this weekend in Los Angeles. Follow the jump to watch the video footage and read the full press release.

Continue reading Ken Block unveils new multi-hoonable Ford Fiesta HFHV

Ken Block unveils new multi-hoonable Ford Fiesta HFHV originally appeared on Autoblog 5.0 on Mon, 25 Jul 2011 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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